Two people have died after a plane crashed on a busy road, causing chaos and destruction in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. The incident occurred on February 7, 2025, at approximately 7:20 AM local time, when the small twin-engine Beech F90 King Air aircraft lost contact with the control tower shortly after leaving Campo de Marte Airport.
According to reports, the plane was headed for Porto Alegre, but as it approached Marques de Sao Vicente Avenue, it attempted to make an emergency landing. Eyewitness accounts describe the shocking scene as the plane suddenly descended onto the avenue, colliding with vehicles, including a bus. Smoke and flames engulfed the bus, which was empty at the time, aside from the driver.
Fire department spokesperson Captain Maycon Cristo confirmed the grim news of the fatalities, stating, "The two people killed were on board the plane, having been found amid the wreckage." Meanwhile, two others, including a motorcyclist and a woman on the bus who was hit by debris, sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Footage captured by onlookers shows the bus erupting in flames and thick black smoke rising above Sao Paulo's skyline. Witness Genival Dantas Arraes recalled the terrifying moment: "The plane suddenly came down the avenue, and I just saw everything flying and the fireball. It exploded immediately. Everyone was paralyzed." Another witness, Adriano Rolim, added, "The pilot tried to land on Marques de Sao Vicente, and fortunately, many cars swerved, but the plane hit the back of the bus and ended up exploding. The impact was huge, very scary."
Emergency services quickly mobilized to the scene, with seven fire engines arriving to extinguish the flames. The fire department emphasized the quick evacuation of the bus before it caught fire, as the 732 bus from the Santa Brigida bus company had no passengers on board. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with officials examining the period leading up to the aircraft's loss of altitude and subsequent collision with the bus.
Guilherme Derrite, the Secretary of Public Security for Sao Paulo, announced, “Our teams are working on the crash of the twin-engine plane on Marques de Sao Vicente Avenue.” He also noted the involvement of the Military Police and Technical-Scientific Police, who are supporting the investigation. Locals expressed their shock over the incident, which could have resulted in more severe casualties had the bus been full.
The plane had taken off just minutes earlier at around 7:15 AM, but as it descended over the city, witnesses reported seeing it hit trees and lose altitude rapidly. Joao Lucas da Silva Amaral, another observer, explained, “The plane hit a tree before kerosene started pouring out. The aircraft then lost altitude and crashed.” This eyewitness account fits with the reported emergency landing attempts before the tragic crash.
The aftermath of the accident has left many residents on edge as they grapple with the horrific events of the morning. Fire crews worked diligently to clear the wreckage and secure the area. The shockwaves of this plane crash will ripple through the community for some time, raising questions about air traffic control procedures and the safety of flights leaving busy urban areas.
Authorities are calling for thorough investigations to pinpoint the causes of the crash, hoping to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. While the community mourns the loss of lives, the focus remains on ensuring safety measures are reinforced across the city’s routes, both on the ground and above.